# 2012 Buffalo Bills season

The 2012 season was the Buffalo Bills' 43rd in the National Football League (NFL), their 53rd overall, and their third and final season under head coach Chan Gailey. The team had hoped to make the playoffs for the first time since 1999, but instead extended the NFL's longest playoff drought.
2012 was the final year on the Bills' current lease at Ralph Wilson Stadium, as well as the final year on the Bills Toronto Series agreement. The league had approved an additional five-year extension of the Toronto series, extending through 2017 on the condition that the Bills and Rogers Communications came to an agreement to do so, a condition that both sides indicated willingness to do. The Bills and the league demanded significant and expensive renovations to Ralph Wilson Stadium as a condition of renewing the stadium lease. The Buffalo News reported renovations could top $200 million. The Bills and Erie County (the owners of Ralph Wilson Stadium) missed the deadline for a long-term agreement in September 2012; however, on December 21, the Bills agreed with Erie County to a 10-year lease on Ralph Wilson Stadium, extending it for at least another seven years.

## Personnel changes

On January 2, 2012, one day after the conclusion of the season, George Edwards was fired from his position as defensive coordinator. Edwards had been the defensive coordinator for the 2010 and 2011 seasons. Former NFL and college head coach Dave Wannstedt was promoted to defensive coordinator. (Bills head coach Chan Gailey had been the offensive coordinator under Wannstedt in 2000 and 2001, when Wannstedt was Miami's head coach.)

## Roster changes

In his annual season-ending press conference, general manager Buddy Nix laid out his priorities for the offseason. Nix stated that the team was eager to re-sign wide receiver Stevie Johnson, kicker Rian Lindell and offensive tackle Demetress Bell. Johnson and Lindell were successfully re-signed; Bell was signed by Philadelphia. He also stated that he wanted to re-sign running back Fred Jackson and have him retire as a Bill. Jackson whose contract ran through the end of the 2012 season was having a career season before a mid season 2011 injury. Johnson renewed his contract with the Bills for five years and $36.2 million on March 5, 2012.
On March 15, 2012, the Bills made the biggest free agent acquisition in team history, signing all-pro defensive end Mario Williams to a contract worth $100 million over six years, with $50 million guaranteed, the largest contract for a defensive player in NFL history. The recruiting of Williams took place over three days, starting with general manager Buddy Nix and defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt escorting Williams to Buffalo in a private jet. Bills Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly was also part of the recruiting.
On March 21, 2012 Mark Anderson, who had 12.5 sacks with the Patriots over the 2011 regular season and playoffs, signed a four-year deal with Buffalo. With announced plans to switch to the 4–3 defense the Bills could field Mario Williams at left end and Anderson on the opposite side in passing situations. Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus will anchor the middle of the defensive line.
On May 11, 2012 the Bills made yet another high-profile signing by signing QB Vince Young to a one-year contract to back up Ryan Fitzpatrick. Young was the 3rd overall pick in the 2006 NFL draft. He was nonetheless released in the middle of the preseason, with Gailey citing inconsistency as the reason, and replaced by Tarvaris Jackson, whom the Bills acquired in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks. Because Jackson was not ready for the start of the regular season, the Bills will go with four quarterbacks on its roster for the first several weeks of the season.
Kickoff specialist John Potter, a rookie, made the 53-man roster. He will specialize in kickoffs to ease pressure on the team's aging kickers, placekicker Rian Lindell and punter Brian Moorman, who handled the duties in the past. (Moorman would be released from the roster three weeks into the regular season.)

### 2012 Draft

| Round | Selection | Player | Position | College |
| 1 | 10 | Stephon Gilmore | Cornerback | South Carolina |
| 2 | 41 | Cordy Glenn | Guard | Georgia |
| 3 | 69 | T. J. Graham | Wide receiver | NC State |
| 4 | 105 | Nigel Bradham | Outside linebacker | Florida State |
| 4 | 124 | Ron Brooks | Cornerback | LSU |
| 5 | 144 | Zebrie Sanders | Tackle | Florida State |
| 5 | 147 | Tank Carder | Inside Linebacker | TCU |
| 6 | 178 | Mark Asper | Guard | Oregon |
| 7 | 251 | John Potter | Kicker | Western Michigan |
Notes
    The team acquired an additional fourth-round selection (#124 overall) in a trade that sent wide receiver Lee Evans to the Baltimore Ravens.
    The team acquired an additional fifth-round selection (#147 overall) as part of a trade that sent running back Marshawn Lynch to the Seattle Seahawks.
    Compensatory selection.

### Undrafted free agents

Stanford safety Delano Howell, Missouri State running back Chris Douglas, Virginia Tech cornerback Cris Hill, Colorado State offensive lineman Paul Madsen, Florida State punter Shawn Powell, Texas offensive lineman David Snow, Penn State safety Nick Sukay, Mercyhurst safety/long snapper Ian Wild, Texas A&M linebacker Garrick Williams and Richmond quarterback Aaron Corp. Corp was later released.

## Schedule
### Preseason

| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap |
| 1 | August 9 | Washington Redskins | L 6–7 | 0–1 | Ralph Wilson Stadium | Recap |
| 2 | August 17 | at Minnesota Vikings | L 14–36 | 0–2 | Mall of America Field | Recap |
| 3 | August 25 | Pittsburgh Steelers | L 7–38 | 0–3 | Ralph Wilson Stadium | Recap |
| 4 | August 30 | at Detroit Lions | L 32–38 | 0–4 | Ford Field | Recap |

### Regular season

| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap |
| 1 | September 9 | at New York Jets | L 28–48 | 0–1 | MetLife Stadium | Recap |
| 2 | September 16 | Kansas City Chiefs | W 35–17 | 1–1 | Ralph Wilson Stadium | Recap |
| 3 | September 23 | at Cleveland Browns | W 24–14 | 2–1 | Cleveland Browns Stadium | Recap |
| 4 | September 30 | New England Patriots | L 28–52 | 2–2 | Ralph Wilson Stadium | Recap |
| 5 | October 7 | at San Francisco 49ers | L 3–45 | 2–3 | Candlestick Park | Recap |
| 6 | October 14 | at Arizona Cardinals | W 19–16 (OT) | 3–3 | University of Phoenix Stadium | Recap |
| 7 | October 21 | Tennessee Titans | L 34–35 | 3–4 | Ralph Wilson Stadium | Recap |
| 8 | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye |
| 9 | November 4 | at Houston Texans | L 9–21 | 3–5 | Reliant Stadium | Recap |
| 10 | November 11 | at New England Patriots | L 31–37 | 3–6 | Gillette Stadium | Recap |
| 11 | November 15 | Miami Dolphins | W 19–14 | 4–6 | Ralph Wilson Stadium | Recap |
| 12 | November 25 | at Indianapolis Colts | L 13–20 | 4–7 | Lucas Oil Stadium | Recap |
| 13 | December 2 | Jacksonville Jaguars | W 34–18 | 5–7 | Ralph Wilson Stadium | Recap |
| 14 | December 9 | St. Louis Rams | L 12–15 | 5–8 | Ralph Wilson Stadium | Recap |
| 15 | December 16 | Seattle Seahawks | L 17–50 | 5–9 | Rogers Centre (Toronto) | Recap |
| 16 | December 23 | at Miami Dolphins | L 10–24 | 5–10 | Sun Life Stadium | Recap |
| 17 | December 30 | New York Jets | W 28–9 | 6–10 | Ralph Wilson Stadium | Recap |
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
# Indicates the game was part of the Bills Toronto Series.

### Game summaries
#### Week 1: at New York Jets

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bills | 0 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 28 |
| Jets | 7 | 20 | 14 | 7 | 48 |
at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
* Date: September 9
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: 74 °F (23 °C), sunny
* Game attendance: 79,088
* Referee: Robert Frazer
* TV announcers (CBS): Marv Albert and Rich Gannon
Game information :
First quarter
Jeremy Kerley 12-yard pass from Mark Sanchez (Nick Folk kick) Jets 7–0, Drive: 8 plays, 61 yards, 3:49.
Second quarter
Stephen Hill 33-yard pass from Mark Sanchez (Nick Folk kick) Jets 14–0, Drive: 5 plays, 52 yards, 2:31.
Jeremy Kerley 68-yard punt return Jets 21–0
C. J. Spiller 56-yard run (Rian Lindell kick), Jets 21–7, Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 3:34.
Nick Folk 25-yard field goal, Jets 24–7, Drive: 15 plays, 73 yards, 7:09.
Nick Folk 39-yard field goal, Jets 27–7, Drive: 7 plays, 32 yards, 1:24.
Third quarter
Antonio Cromartie 40-yard interception return (Nick Folk kick), Jets 34–7
Stephen Hill 33-yard pass from Mark Sanchez (Nick Folk kick) Jets 41–7, Drive: 4 plays, 48 yards, 2:10.
Scott Chandler 5-yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Rian Lindell kick), Jets 41–14, Drive: 9 plays, 77 yards, 5:12.
Fourth quarter
Donald Jones 6-yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Rian Lindell kick), Jets 41–21, Drive: 13 plays, 96 yards, 6:14.
Stevie Johnson 29-yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Rian Lindell kick), Jets 41–28, Drive: 5 plays, 41 yards, 0:54.
Shonn Greene 1-yard run (Nick Folk kick), Jets 48–28, Drive: 8 plays, 49 yards, 4:41.
Top passers
BUF –Ryan Fitzpatrick, 18/32, 195 Yds, 3 TD, 3 INT
NYJ –Mark Sanchez, 19/27, 266 Yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Top rushers
BUF –C. J. Spiller, 14 Car, 169 Yds, 1 TD
NYJ –Shonn Greene, 27 Car, 94 Yds, 1 TD
Top receiverss
BUF –Steve Johnson, 4 Rec, 55 Yds, 1 TD
NYJ –Stephen Hill, 5 Rec, 89 Yds, 2 TD
Top tacklers
BUF – Nick Barnett – 5 tackles, 4 assists
NYJ – LaRon Landry – 6 tackles, 1 assist, 1 forced fumble :

#### Week 2: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chiefs | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 17 |
| Bills | 7 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 35 |
at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York
* Date: September 16
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: 66 °F (19 °C), mostly sunny
* Game attendance: 69,402
* Referee: Robert Dalton
* TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes and Steve Beuerlein
Game information :
First quarter
C. J. Spiller 17-yard run (Rian Lindell kick) Bills 7–0, Drive: 11 plays, 94 yards, 5:52.
Second quarter
C. J. Spiller 5-yard run (Rian Lindell kick) Bills 14–0, Drive: 7 plays, 67 yards, 2:55.
Scott Chandler 10-yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Rian Lindell kick) Bills 21–0, Drive: 6 plays, 43 yards, 3:29.
Third quarter
Ryan Succop 33-yard field goal Bills 21–3, Drive: 7 plays, 23 yards, 3:33.
Stevie Johnson 49-yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Rian Lindell kick), Bills 28–3, Drive: 4 plays, 90 yards, 1:57.
Leodis McKelvin 88-yard punt return (Rian Lindell kick), Bills 35–3
Fourth quarter
Dwayne Bowe 33-yard pass from Matt Cassel (Ryan Succop kick), Bills 35–10, Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 2:13.
Dwayne Bowe 2-yard pass from Matt Cassel (Ryan Succop kick), Bills 35–17, Drive: 9 plays, 83 yards, 2:51.
Top passers
KC –Matt Cassel, 23–42, 301 Yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
BUF –Ryan Fitzpatrick, 10–19, 178 Yds, 2 TD
Top rushers
KC –Peyton Hillis, 11 Car, 66 Yds, 0 TD
BUF –C. J. Spiller, 15 Car, 123 Yds, 2 TD
Top receivers
KC –Dwayne Bowe, 8 Rec, 102 Yds, 2 TD
BUF –Stevie Johnson, 2 Rec, 56 Yds, 1 TD
Top tacklers
KC –Derrick Johnson – 7 tackles, 2 assists
BUF –Stephon Gilmore – 7 tackles, 0 assist :

#### Week 3: at Cleveland Browns

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bills | 14 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 24 |
| Browns | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio
* Date: September 23
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: 53 °F (12 °C), rain
* Game attendance: 69,353
* Referee: David Scott
* TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes and Steve Beuerlein
Game information :
First quarter:
T. J. Graham 9-yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Rian Lindell kick), Bills 7–0, Drive: 8 plays, 63 yards, 4:21.
C. J. Spiller 32-yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Rian Lindell kick), Bills 14–0, Drive: 4 plays, 49 yards, 1:53.
Second quarter:
Trent Richardson 6-yard run (Phil Dawson kick), Bills 14–7, Drive: 9 plays, 62 yards, 4:41.
Third quarter:
Rian Lindell 37-yard field goal, Bills 17–7, Drive: 9 plays, 39 yards, 4:22.
Travis Benjamin 22-yard pass from Brandon Weeden (Phil Dawson kick), Bills 17–14, Drive: 13 plays, 80 yards, 4:38.
Fourth quarter:
Stevie Johnson 9-yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Rian Lindell kick), Bills 24–14, Drive: 10 plays, 68 yards, 5:27.
Top passers
BUF –Ryan Fitzpatrick, 22–35, 208 Yds, 3 TD
CLE –Brandon Weeden, 27–43, 237 Yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
BUF –Tashard Choice, 20 Car, 91 Yds, 0 TD
CLE –Trent Richardson, 12 Car, 27 Yds, 1 TD
Top receivers
BUF –Stevie Johnson, 7 Rec, 61 Yds, 1 TD
CLE –Jordan Cameron, 5 Rec, 45 Yds, 0 TD
Top tacklers
BUF – Nick Barnett – 8 tackles, 1 assist
CLE – Craig Robertson – 8 tackles, 1 assist :

#### Week 4: vs. New England Patriots

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Patriots | 7 | 0 | 14 | 31 | 52 |
| Bills | 0 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York
* Date: September 30
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: 52 °F (11 °C), partly cloudy
* Game attendance: 70,684
* Referee: John Parry
* TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf
Game information :
First quarter
Stevan Ridley 6-yard run (Stephen Gostkowski kick), Patriots 7–0, Drive: 7 plays, 90 yards, 3:07.
Second quarter
Scott Chandler 24-yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Rian Lindell kick), TIE 7–7, Drive: 1 play, 24 yards, 0:08.
Scott Chandler 20-yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Rian Lindell kick), Bills 14–7, Drive: 5 plays, 68 yards, 2:12.
Third quarter
Donald Jones 68-yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Rian Lindell kick), Bills 21–7, Drive: 5 plays, 88 yards, 2:37.
Danny Woodhead 17-yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick), Bills 21–14, Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 2:58.
Tom Brady 4-yard run (Stephen Gostkowski kick), TIE 21–21, Drive: 8 plays, 78 yards, 3:19.
Fourth quarter
Rob Gronkowski 28-yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick), Patriots 28–21, Drive: 5 plays, 63 yards, 2:01.
Stevan Ridley 2-yard run (Stephen Gostkowski kick), Patriots 35–21, Drive: 6 plays, 42 yard, 1:44.
Brandon Bolden 7-yard run (Stephen Gostkowski kick), Patriots 42–21, Drive: 2 plays, 12 yards, 0:50.
Brad Smith 35-yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Rian Lindell kick), Patriots 42–28, Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 3:57.
Brandon Lloyd 25-yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick), Patriots 49–28, Drive: 6 plays, 48 yards, 2:30.
Stephen Gostkowski 30-yard field goal, Patriots 52–28, Drive: 4 plays, 7 yards, 1:58.
Top passers
NE –Tom Brady, 22–36, 340 Yds, 3 TD
BUF –Ryan Fitzpatrick, 22–39, 350 Yds, 4 TD, 4 INT
Top rushers
NE –Brandon Bolden, 16 Car, 137 Yds, 1 TD
BUF –C. J. Spiller, 8 Car, 33 Yds, 0 TD
Top receivers
NE –Wes Welker, 9 Rec, 129 Yds, 0 TD
BUF –Donald Jones, 2 Rec, 90 Yds, 1 TD
Top tacklers
NE – Rob Ninkovich – 7 tackles, 3 assists, 1 forced fumble, 1 sack
BUF – Nick Barnett – 15 tackles, 5 assists :

#### Week 5: at San Francisco 49ers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bills | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 49ers | 3 | 14 | 7 | 21 | 45 |
at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California
* Date: October 7
* Game time: 4:15 p.m. EDT/1:15 p.m. PDT
* Game weather: 62 °F (17 °C), sunny
* Game attendance: 69,732
* Referee: Jerome Boger
* TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan and Solomon Wilcots
Game information :
First quarter
David Akers 19-yard field goal, 49ers 3–0, Drive: 6 plays, 79 yards, 3:17.
Second quarter
Rian Lindell 31-yard field goal, TIE 3–3, Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 5:44.
Kyle Williams 43-yard pass from Alex Smith (David Akers kick), 49ers 10–3, Drive: 2 plays, 79 yards, 0:52.
Michael Crabtree 28-yard pass from Alex Smith (David Akers kick), 49ers 17–3, Drive: 1 play, 28 yards, 0:05.
Third quarter
Frank Gore 1-yard run (David Akers kick), 49ers 24–3, Drive: 5 plays, 81 yards, 2:44.
Fourth quarter
Mario Manningham 10-yard pass from Alex Smith (David Akers kick), 49ers 31–3, Drive: 13 plays, 89 yards, 7:48.
Colin Kaepernick 16-yard run (David Akers kick), 49ers 38–3, Drive: 7 plays, 62 yards, 3:05.
Anthony Dixon 3-yard run (David Akers kick), 49ers 45–3, Drive: 11 plays, 69 yards, 6:29.
Top passers
BUF –Ryan Fitzpatrick, 16–26, 126 Yds, 0 TD, 1 INT
SF –Alex Smith, 18–24, 303 Yds, 3 TD, 0 INT
Top rushers
BUF –Brad Smith, 1 Car, 35 Yds, 0 TD
SF –Frank Gore, 14 Car, 106 Yds, 1 TD
Top receivers
BUF –Scott Chandler, 4 Rec, 40 Yds, 0 TD
SF –Michael Crabtree, 6 Rec, 113 Yds, 1 TD
Top tacklers
BUF – Nigel Bradham – 6 tackles
SF – Patrick Willis – 7 tackles, 1 forced fumble :

#### Week 6: at Arizona Cardinals

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
| Bills | 9 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 19 |
| Cardinals | 3 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 16 |
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
* Date: October 14
* Game time: 4:05 p.m. EDT/1:05 p.m. Arizona time
* Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
* Game attendance: 60,385
* Referee: Alberto Riveron
* TV announcers (CBS): Bill Macatee and Steve Tasker
Game information :
First quarter
Jay Feely 49-yard field goal, Cardinals 3–0, Drive: 4 plays, 2 yards, 0:55.
Kevin Kolb sacked in the end zone by Chris Kelsay, Cardinals 3–2
C. J. Spiller 10-yard run (Rian Lindell kick), Bills 9–3, Drive: 10 plays, 49 yards, 5:01.
Second quarter
Larry Fitzgerald 9-yard pass from Kevin Kolb (Jay Feely kick), Cardinals 10–9, Drive: 10 plays, 67 yards, 5:38.
Third quarter
Jay Feely 49-yard field goal, Cardinals 13–9, Drive: 12 plays, 53 yards, 6:18.
Fred Jackson 1-yard run (Rian Lindell kick), Bills 16–13, Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 2:35.
Fourth quarter
Jay Feely 61-yard field goal, TIE 16–16, Drive: 10 plays, 52 yards, 1:58.
Overtime
Rian Lindell 25-yard field goal, Bills 19–16, Drive: 2 plays, −1 yards, 0:45.
Top passers
BUF –Ryan Fitzpatrick, 18–32, 153 Yds, 0 TD
ARI –Kevin Kolb, 14–26, 128 Yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Top rushers
BUF –C. J. Spiller, 12 Car, 88 Yds, 1 TD
ARI –William Powell, 13 Car, 70 Yds, 0 TD
Top receivers
BUF –Stevie Johnson, 6 Rec, 82 Yds, 0 TD
ARI –Larry Fitzgerald, 6 Rec, 93 Yds, 1 TD
Top tacklers
BUF – Kelvin Sheppard – 9 tackles, 2 assists
ARI – Daryl Washington – 14 tackles, 2 assists, 1 forced fumble :

#### Week 7: vs. Tennessee Titans

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Titans | 14 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 35 |
| Bills | 14 | 6 | 14 | 0 | 34 |
at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York
* Date: October 21
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: 55 °F (13 °C), mostly sunny
* Game attendance: 68,836
* Referee: Mike Carey
* TV announcers (CBS): Marv Albert and Rich Gannon
Game information :
First quarter
Chris Johnson 16-yard run (Rob Bironas kick), Titans 7–0, Drive: 8 plays, 72 yards, 4:22.
Fred Jackson 3-yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Rian Lindell kick), TIE 7–7, Drive: 13 plays, 93 yards, 7:37.
Chris Johnson 83-yard run (Rob Bironas kick), Titans 14–7, Drive: 1 play, 83 yards, 0:18.
Brad Smith 89-yard kickoff return (Rian Lindell kick), TIE 14–14
Second quarter
Jamie Harper 1-yard run (Rob Bironas kick), Titans 21–14, Drive: 14 plays, 80 yards, 7:13.
Rian Lindell 31-yard field goal, Titans 21–17, Drive: 10 plays, 68 yards, 6:22.
Rian Lindell 42-yard field goal, Titans 21–20, Drive: 10 plays, 53 yards, 1:47.
Third quarter
Jamie Harper 1-yard run (Rob Bironas kick), Titans 28–20, Drive: 8 plays, 32 yards, 2:58.
Donald Jones 15-yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Rian Lindell kick), Titans 28–27, Drive: 7 plays, 66 yards, 3:53.
Stevie Johnson 27-yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Rian Lindell kick), Bills 34–27, Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 4:36.
Fourth quarter
Nate Washington 15-yard pass from Matt Hasselbeck (Rob Bironas kick), Titans 35–34, Drive: 7 plays, 52 yards, 1:54.
Top passers
TEN –Matt Hasselbeck, 22–33, 205 Yds, 1 TD
BUF –Ryan Fitzpatrick, 27–35, 225 Yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Top rushers
TEN –Chris Johnson, 18 Car, 195 Yds, 2 TD
BUF –Fred Jackson, 9 Car, 71 Yds, 0 TD
Top receivers
TEN –Nate Washington, 6 Rec, 43 Yds, 1 TD
BUF –Stevie Johnson, 5 Rec, 71 Yds, 1 TD
Top tacklers
TEN – Jordan Babineaux – 12 tackles, 4 assists
BUF – Nick Barnett – 9 tackles, 4 assists :

#### Week 9: at Houston Texans

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bills | 0 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 9 |
| Texans | 7 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas
* Date: November 4
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
* Game attendance: 71,698
* Referee: Bill Vinovich
* TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts
Game information :
First quarter
Owen Daniels 39-yard pass from Matt Schaub (Shayne Graham kick), Texans 7–0, Drive: 4 plays, 77 yards, 2:00.
Second quarter
Rian Lindell 22-yard field goal, Texans 7–3, Drive: 10 plays, 65 yards, 4:40.
Rian Lindell 38-yard field goal, Texans 7–6, Drive: 6 plays, 47 yards, 0:47.
Third quarter
Arian Foster 3-yard run (Shayne Graham kick), Texans 14–6, Drive: 5 plays, 43 yards, 2:16.
Rian Lindell 39-yard field goal, Texans 14–9, Drive: 8 plays, 56 yards, 4:30.
Fourth quarter
Garrett Graham 5-yard pass from Matt Schaub (Shayne Graham kick), Texans 21–9, Drive: 11 plays, 68 yards, 6:30.
Top passers
BUF –Ryan Fitzpatrick, 25–38, 239 Yds, 0 TD
HOU –Matt Schaub, 19–27, 268 Yds, 2 TD
Top rushers
BUF –C. J. Spiller, 6 Car, 39 Yds, 0 TD
HOU –Arian Foster, 24 Car, 111 Yds, 1 TD
Top receivers
BUF –Donald Jones, 6 Rec, 65 Yds, 0 TD
HOU –Andre Johnson, 8 Rec, 118 Yds, 0 TD
Top tacklers
BUF – Mario Williams – 7 tackles, 2 assists, 1 sack
HOU – Glover Quin – 6 tackles, 2 assists :

#### Week 10: at New England Patriots

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bills | 0 | 17 | 7 | 7 | 31 |
| Patriots | 10 | 14 | 7 | 6 | 37 |
at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
* Date: November 11
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
* Game weather: 60 °F (16 °C), sunny
* Game attendance: 68,756
* Referee: Bill Leavy
* TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts
Game information :
First quarter
Stephen Gostkowski 43-yard field goal, Patriots 3–0, Drive: 13 plays, 48 yards, 4:27.
Stevan Ridley 1-yard run (Stepen Gostkowski kick), Patriots 10–0, Drive: 3 plays, 13 yards, 1:30.
Second quarter
Rian Lindell 41-yard field goal, Patriots 10–3, Drive: 11 plays, 57 yards, 6:47.
Danny Woodhead 15-yard run (Stephen Gostkowski kick), Patriots 17–3, Drive: 8 plays, 83 yards, 2:58.
Fred Jackson 14-yard run (Rian Lindell kick), Patriots 17–10, Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 3:06.
Rob Gronkowski 2-yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick), Patriots 24–10, Drive: 6 plays, 82 yards, 2:09.
Scott Chandler 3-yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Rian Lindell kick), Patriots 24–17, Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 3:23.
Third quarter
Danny Woodhead 18-yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick), Patriots 31–17, Drive: 4 plays, 39 yards, 1:38.
Fred Jackson 1-yard run (Rian Lindell kick), Patriots 31–24, Drive: 11 plays, 84 yards, 5:29.
Fourth quarter
Stephen Gostkowski 48-yard field goal, Patriots 34–24, Drive: 7 plays, 50 yards, 2:27.
Donald Jones 2-yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Rian Lindell kick), Patriots 34–31, Drive: 5 plays, 45 yards, 1:29.
Stephen Gostkowski 27-yard field goal, Patriots 37–31, Drive: 14 plays, 59 yards, 5:41.
Top passers
BUF –Ryan Fitzpatrick, 27/40, 337 Yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
NE –Tom Brady, 23/38, 237 Yds, 2 TD
Top rushers
BUF –Fred Jackson, 16 Car, 80 Yds, 2 TD
NE –Stevan Ridley, 22 Car, 98 Yds, 1 TD
Top receivers
BUF –Stevie Johnson, 6 Rec, 86 Yds, 0 TD
NE –Wes Welker, 6 Rec, 74 Yds, 0 TD
Top tacklers
BUF –Stephon Gilmore – 5 tackles, 1 assist
NE –Brandon Spikes – 5 tackles, 6 assists, 1 forced fumble :
With the loss, the Bills dropped to 3–6 and 0–11 against the Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

#### Week 11: vs. Miami Dolphins

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Dolphins | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| Bills | 13 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 19 |
at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York
* Date: November 15
* Game time: 8:20 p.m. EST
* Game weather: 35 °F (2 °C), clear and crisp
* Game attendance: 69,118
* Referee: Jeff Triplette
* TV announcers (NFLN): Brad Nessler, Mike Mayock and Alex Flanagan
Game information :
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
MIA –
BUF –
Top rushers
MIA –
BUF –
Top receivers
MIA –
BUF –
Top tacklers
MIA –
BUF – :
By beating the Dolphins on a Thursday Night Football showdown, Buffalo improved to 4–6 and snapped an 8-game losing skid against division rivals.

#### Week 12: at Indianapolis Colts

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bills | 3 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 13 |
| Colts | 7 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 20 |
at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
* Date: November 25
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
* Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
* Game attendance: 64,366
* Referee: Ed Hochuli
* TV announcers (CBS): Marv Albert and Rich Gannon
Game information :
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
BUF –
IND –
Top rushers
BUF –
IND –
Top receivers
BUF –
IND –
Top tacklers
BUF –
IND – :

#### Week 13: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Jaguars | 0 | 10 | 0 | 8 | 18 |
| Bills | 7 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 34 |
at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York
* Date: December 2
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
* Game weather: 52 °F (11 °C), rain
* Game attendance: 53,971
* Referee: Pete Morelli
* TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes and Steve Beuerlein (blacked out locally)
Game information :
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
JAC –
BUF –
Top rushers
JAC –
BUF –
Top receivers
JAC –
BUF –
Top tacklers
JAC –
BUF – :

#### Week 14: vs. St. Louis Rams

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Rams | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 15 |
| Bills | 3 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 12 |
at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York
* Date: December 9
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
* Game weather: 37 °F (3 °C), cloudy
* Game attendance: 68,109
* Referee: Gene Steratore
* TV announcers (Fox): Ron Pitts, Mike Martz and Krista Voda
Game information :
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
STL –
BUF –
Top rushers
STL –
BUF –
Top receivers
STL –
BUF –
Top tacklers
STL –
BUF – :

#### Week 15: vs. Seattle Seahawks

Bills Toronto Series
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Seahawks | 14 | 17 | 16 | 3 | 50 |
| Bills | 7 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
at Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
* Date: December 16
* Game time: 4:05 p.m. EST
* Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
* Game attendance: 40,770
* Referee: Scott Green
* TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, John Lynch and Jennifer Hale
Game information :
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
SEA –
BUF –
Top rushers
SEA –
BUF –
Top receivers
SEA –
BUF –
Top tacklers
SEA –
BUF – :
With the loss, the Bills fall to 5–9 and are officially eliminated from postseason contention.

#### Week 16: at Miami Dolphins

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bills | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
| Dolphins | 7 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 24 |
at Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
* Date: December 23
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
* Game weather: 73 °F (23 °C), sunny
* Game attendance: 54,462
* Referee: Walt Anderson
* TV announcers (CBS): Don Criqui and Randy Cross
Game information :
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
BUF –
MIA –
Top rushers
BUF –
MIA –
Top receivers
BUF –
MIA –
Top tacklers
BUF –
MIA – :

#### Week 17: vs. New York Jets

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Jets | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Bills | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 28 |
at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York
* Date: December 30
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
* Game weather: 28 °F (−2 °C), mostly sunny
* Game attendance: 54,533
* Referee: Terry McAulay
* TV announcers (CBS): Marv Albert and Rich Gannon (blacked out locally)
Game information :
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
NYJ – Mark Sanchez
BUF – Ryan Fitzpatrick
Top rushers
NYJ – Shonn Greene
BUF – C. J. Spiller
Top receivers
NYJ – Jeremy Kerley
BUF – Stevie Johnson
Top tacklers
NYJ – Bart Scott
BUF – Nick Barnett :

## Standings

AFC East :
| viewtalkedit | W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK |
| $^{(2)}$ New England Patriots | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 6–0 | 11–1 | 557 | 331 | W2 |
| Miami Dolphins | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 2–4 | 5–7 | 288 | 317 | L1 |
| New York Jets | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 2–4 | 4–8 | 281 | 375 | L3 |
| Buffalo Bills | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 2–4 | 5–7 | 344 | 435 | W1 |

## Statistics
### Team leaders

| | Player(s) | Value |
| Passing Yards | Ryan Fitzpatrick | 2471 Yards |
| Passing Touchdowns | Ryan Fitzpatrick | 20 TDs |
| Rushing Yards | C. J. Spiller | 907 Yards |
| Rushing Touchdowns | C. J. Spiller | 5 TDs |
| Receiving Yards | Stevie Johnson | 705 Yards |
| Receiving Touchdowns | Scott Chandler | 6 TDs |
| Points | Rian Lindell | 83 Points |
| Kickoff Return Yards | Leodis McKelvin | 453 Yards |
| Punt Return Yards | Leodis McKelvin | 387 Yards |
| Tackles | Nick Barnett | 82 Tackles |
| Sacks | Mario Williams | 9.5 Sacks |
| Interceptions | Jairus Byrd | 5 INTs |
stats values are correct through Week 14. '

### League rankings

* Total Offense (YPG): 346.4 (17th)
* Passing (YPG): 199 (26th)
* Rushing (YPG): 147.9 (4th)
* Total Defense (YPG): 368.5 (24th)
* Passing (YPG): 229 (13th)
* Rushing (YPG): 139.2 (30th)
Stats correct through week 14.